🌱 9 Perennial Vegetables to Plant Once and Harvest for Decades

Tired of replanting every spring? These nine perennial vegetables will return year after year—some for decades—providing you with fresh, homegrown produce with minimal effort. From classic asparagus to surprising walking onions, discover which perennials belong in your garden, how to grow and maintain them, and expert tips for maximizing yield and longevity. Plus, find delicious recipe inspiration at Canadian Ed Shop.

📋 Quick List of the 9 Perennials

1. Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
2. Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)
3. Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)
4. Jerusalem Artichoke / Sunchoke (Helianthus tuberosus)
5. Walking Onions / Egyptian Onions (Allium × proliferum)
6. Good King Henry (Blitum bonus-henricus)
7. Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
8. Sea Kale (Crambe maritima)
9. Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

🌟 Why Grow Perennial Vegetables?

Perennial vegetables offer:

• Long-term yield: Plant once and harvest for years—saving time and seed costs.
• Soil health: Deep roots improve structure, reduce erosion, and feed beneficial microbes.
• Early harvest: Many perennials emerge before annuals, giving you a head start on fresh produce.
• Low maintenance: Established beds require less weeding and replanting.

1. Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)

Planting Tips

Choose a sunny, well-drained site. Prepare a trench 12–18″ wide and 8″ deep, amended with compost. Space crowns 12–18″ apart. Backfill with soil over several weeks as shoots emerge.

Harvest Guidelines

Wait 2–3 years before harvesting to allow crowns to establish. In years 3+, harvest spears 6–8″ tall for 4–6 weeks each spring. Avoid cutting after June to preserve fern growth.

Longevity & Care

With proper care—annual compost top-dress and mulch—your asparagus bed can produce for 20+ years. Remove ferns in late fall and apply balanced fertilizer in early spring.

Expert Insight

“A well-maintained asparagus patch is the gift that keeps on giving—treat it like an orchard rather than an annual garden.” – Lisa Mason, Vegetable Grower

Design Idea

Plant asparagus at the back of a perennial border—its tall ferns provide summer interest and hide less attractive crops.

2. Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)

Planting Tips

Select a site with rich, acidic soil (pH 6.0–6.8) and full sun to partial shade. Plant crowns 2–3″ deep, 3–4′ apart. Mulch heavily to retain moisture.

Harvest Guidelines

Allow the first season for establishment. In year two, harvest stalks by pulling and twisting. Stop harvest by midsummer to allow leaf growth and crown strength.

Longevity & Care

Rhubarb thrives for decades with annual compost and winter mulch. Divide clumps every 8–10 years to rejuvenate and propagate.

Expert Insight

“Rhubarb is virtually indestructible—once you’ve got it established, it’s a perennial staple.” – Mark Cullen, Horticulturist

Design Idea

Use ruffled rhubarb leaves to create a tropical effect in shady corners of edible gardens.

3. Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)

Planting Tips

Start from divisions or seedlings in spring after frost. Space 4–5′ apart in fertile, well-drained soil. Provide wind protection and full sun.

Harvest Guidelines

Harvest tight buds before scales open. Cut stems about 3–5″ below the bud. In warm regions, expect multiple harvests in year one; in colder zones, treat as a tender perennial.

Longevity & Care

With winter protection (mulch or frost cloth) and regular fertilization, artichokes can produce for 5–7 years in temperate climates.

Expert Insight

“Artichokes are a statement plant—both edible and ornamental, they reward you with stunning architecture and flavor.” – Ornamental Edibles Collective

Design Idea

Frame entryways or patios with artichoke clumps for a dramatic edible architecture.

4. Jerusalem Artichoke / Sunchoke (Helianthus tuberosus)

Planting Tips

Plant tubers 3–4″ deep, 12–18″ apart, in full sun or light shade. Use well-drained soil; minimal fertility required. Beware vigorous spread.

Harvest Guidelines

Dig tubers after first frost when tops die back. Leave small tubers for natural reseeding or harvest all and replant select pieces.

Longevity & Care

Sunchokes naturalize quickly—contain in deep beds or root barriers. Divide clumps every 2–3 years to prevent overcrowding.

Expert Insight

“Sunchokes thrive on neglect—ideal for low-maintenance gardens craving a nutty, inulin-rich tuber.” – Doug Green, Permaculture Designer

Design Idea

Create a screening hedge of sunchokes along fences—cut back in fall for winter interest.

5. Walking Onions (Allium × proliferum)

Planting Tips

Plant bulbs or top-sets 1″ deep in fall or early spring, 6″ apart. Full sun and fertile, well-drained soil yields best growth.

Harvest Guidelines

Harvest small bulbs from top-sets year-round; use young greens like scallions. The “walkers” will produce new sets in surrounding soil.

Longevity & Care

Walking onions self-propagate indefinitely—lift and replant as needed to manage spread. Mulch in winter.

Expert Insight

“Walking onions are the ultimate self-perpetuating vegetable—no replanting required.” – Seed Savers Exchange

Design Idea

Border perennial beds with walking onions for both edible harvest and decorative seed heads.

6. Good King Henry (Blitum bonus-henricus)

Planting Tips

Sow seeds or divisions in spring in partial shade to full sun. Space 12–18″ apart in fertile, moist soil.

Harvest Guidelines

Harvest young leaves in spring and early summer, similar to spinach. Cut stems to ground level to encourage regrowth.

Longevity & Care

This historic kitchen garden plant persists for 10+ years. Divide every 5 years to maintain vigor and manage pests.

Expert Insight

“An underappreciated green, Good King Henry combines the best of spinach and Swiss chard.” – Heirloom Harvest Group

Design Idea

Include Good King Henry in shade borders—its upright habit contrasts with mounding perennials.

7. Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)

Planting Tips

Plant in spring or fall in well-drained soil with partial shade. Space plants 12″ apart; tolerates light frost.

Harvest Guidelines

Harvest leaves continuously by snipping outer leaves; avoid removing more than one-third at a time to sustain growth.

Longevity & Care

Sorrel returns reliably for 5–7 years. Divide clumps in early spring to rejuvenate and control size.

Expert Insight

“Sorrel’s lemony tang livens salads and soups—an unbeatable perennial green.” – Culinary Herb Society

Design Idea

Edge herb gardens with sorrel for continuous early-spring harvest and vibrant color contrast.

8. Sea Kale (Crambe maritima)

Planting Tips

Plant crowns in spring, 18–24″ apart, in sandy, well-drained soil with full sun. Provide support for shoots if needed.

Harvest Guidelines

Blanch shoots in early spring by covering mounds with soil or cloches. Harvest tender shoots before leaves unfurl; leaves and flower buds edible later.

Longevity & Care

Sea kale thrives for 20+ years with minimal care. Divide every 10 years to maintain productivity and vigor.

Expert Insight

“Sea kale bridges vegetable and perennial borders—blanched shoots are a springtime delicacy.” – Coastal Gardeners Association

Design Idea

Use sea kale as a coastal-themed focal point—its large blue-green leaves contrast with ornamental grasses.

9. Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

Planting Tips

Start seeds indoors or sow in spring. Transplant outside in full sun to partial shade, spacing 18–24″ apart in fertile soil.

Harvest Guidelines

Harvest leaves and stems throughout the growing season. Cut flowers in early summer for edible umbels and seed.

Longevity & Care

Lovage is exceptionally long-lived, often thriving 10–15 years with seasonal division to maintain health.

Expert Insight

“Lovage’s celery-like flavor is invaluable in soups and stews—an heirloom perennial favorite.” – Herb Society of America

Design Idea

Plant lovage near vegetable beds—its height (up to 6′) adds vertical structure and aromatic fragrance.

🌿 Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Poor Establishment: Check soil drainage and fertility; amend with compost and ensure proper bed preparation.
• Pest Pressure: Use floating row covers for young shoots; apply organic neem or insecticidal soap if needed.
• Overcrowding: Divide perennials when crowded; maintain recommended spacing to avoid competition.
• Winter Damage: Apply mulch or straw for cold-sensitive perennials in USDA zones < 5.

💡 Garden Design & Companion Planting

Combine perennials with seasonal annuals—tall artichokes and lovage provide backdrop for low-growing sorrel and walking onions. Use rhubarb and sea kale as structural elements alongside flowering perennials.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I divide perennial vegetables?
   Best in early spring or fall—dig up clump, separate crowns with a sharp spade, and replant divisions immediately.
2. Can I grow these perennials in containers?
   Yes—opt for large pots (15+ gallons) for deep-rooted crops like asparagus and sea kale. Ensure drainage and fertile mix.
3. How often should I fertilize perennial beds?
   Apply compost or balanced organic fertilizer in early spring and mid-summer for sustained growth.
4. Will walking onions take over my garden?
   They can spread vigorously; contain in beds or lift and replant top-sets to control.
5. How do I harvest rhubarb without harming crowns?
   Pull stalks gently from base; avoid cutting too close to soil to protect meristem.
6. Can artichokes survive frost?
   Globe artichokes are hardy to zone 7; in colder areas, mulch heavily or lift crowns for winter storage.
7. What soil pH do these perennials prefer?
   Generally 6.0–7.0; test and amend with lime or sulfur to adjust.
8. How do I start a perennial vegetable bed?
   Choose site, prepare deep, fertile soil, plant crowns/seeds/divisions in recommended spacing, mulch.
9. Are these vegetables deer-resistant?
   Good King Henry and walking onions are less palatable; others may require fencing or repellents.
10. What companion plants work well?
    Marigolds repel pests; clover or vetch add nitrogen; herbs like thyme attract pollinators.

🔗 Related Recipes & Resources

• Asparagus Delights
• Classic Rhubarb Pie
• Creamy Artichoke Dips
• Winter Soups with Lovage

🚀 Conclusion

Plant these nine perennial vegetables once and enjoy decades of harvests, flavor, and garden structure. With proper planning, care, and occasional troubleshooting, your perennial bed will become a self-renewing source of fresh produce—and a living legacy for seasons to come. Happy gardening!